Jackson County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Illinois Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Jackson County is higher than Illinois average and is lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Jackson County is higher than Illinois average and is much higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #21
| Jackson County | 0.57 |
| Illinois | 0.24 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Jackson County | 0.0000 |
| Illinois | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #25
| Jackson County | 243.82 |
| Illinois | 220.15 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 11,938 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Jackson County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 6 | Cold: | 83 | Dense Fog: | 91 | Drought: | 72 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 1,768 | Hail: | 3,479 | Heat: | 199 | Heavy Snow: | 125 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 56 | Landslide: | 1 | Strong Wind: | 135 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 4,999 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 5 | Winter Storm: | 181 | Winter Weather: | 97 |
| Other: | 641 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Jackson County.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 4 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Jackson County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 29.1 | 1965-08-15 | 5.1 | N/A | 37.37 | -89.47 |
| 48.4 | 1965-08-14 | 5 | N/A | 37.1 | -89.2 |
| 44.9 | 1984-02-14 | 3.8 | 2 | 37.21 | -89 |
| 46.9 | 1976-12-13 | 3.5 | 5 | 37.8 | -90.24 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 106 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Jackson County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 3.3 | 1957-12-18 | 4 | 37°42'N / 89°29'W | 37°50'N / 89°10'W | 19.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 11 | 180 | 2.5M | 0 | Jackson |
| 6.0 | 2006-09-22 | 2 | 37°46'N / 89°39'W | 37°48'N / 89°20'W | 19.50 Miles | 225 Yards | 0 | 1 | 800K | 0 | Jackson |
| Brief Description: This tornado crossed the Mississippi River from Perry County, Missouri. The tornado weakened from its maximum F-4 intensity to F-2 intensity by the time it entered Jackson County in the Mississippi River bottomlands near Wilkinson Island. At this location, the wall of an old two-story farmhouse was blown out, and the roof was blown off. Hundreds of trees were broken off. Tree damage was visible across the river in Perry County, Missouri. The path width was estimated to be 200 yards wide on the Jackson County side of the river. Before reaching Illinois Route 3, the F-2 tornado widened to 250 yards and destroyed a mobile home. A resident of the mobile home was sent to the hospital. Nearby, a house was unroofed, and trees were snapped or uprooted. Another house lost a room that was added on. A swing set was blown 200 yards and wrapped around a mailbox. An empty tractor trailer rig was overturned. An empty grain bin was blown 100 yards into a field. Full grain bins were severely damaged but remained in place. The roof was blown off a brick house. As the tornado crossed Route 3, high tension utility poles were snapped off, hundreds of acres of corn were flattened, and trees were uprooted. Route 3 was closed for nine hours. From Route 3, the tornado proceeded east-northeast through mostly rural areas of the county, including the Kinkaid Lake State Wildlife Area. The tornado weakened to F-0 intensity before reaching Kinkaid Lake. At the Kinkaid Lake marina, about 50 RV's and boats were damaged, and trees were broken off. The tornado finally lifted shortly after crossing Highway 127 north of Murphysboro. The damage along Highway 127 was about 75 yards wide and consisted of broken tree limbs. A state trooper videotaped the tornado before it lifted. Storm chasers also videotaped the tornado. Peak winds where F-2 damage occurred in western Jackson County were estimated near 150 MPH. The average path width was about 150 yards. A total of about six homes were destroyed or severely damaged, and a dozen others were damaged to a lesser degree. Dozens of other non-residential buildings, such as garages, sheds, barns, and carports, were destroyed. Along the path, striations were evident in fields, and scores of utility poles were snapped off. There were numerous reports of debris falling from the sky in neighboring Perry County, Illinois. Debris as large as pieces of siding and roofing was reported in Du Quoin. | |||||||||||
| 9.2 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 37°54'N / 89°30'W | 37°55'N / 89°24'W | 5.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jackson |
| 10.8 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 37°42'N / 89°13'W | 1.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Jackson | |
| 11.5 | 1970-06-01 | 2 | 37°42'N / 89°12'W | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Jackson | |||
| 11.6 | 1951-11-13 | 2 | 37°54'N / 89°32'W | 37°58'N / 89°26'W | 7.10 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Jackson |
| 11.8 | 1970-03-25 | 2 | 37°43'N / 89°11'W | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Jackson | |||
| 13.1 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 37°41'N / 89°35'W | 1.00 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Perry | |
| 14.5 | 1957-12-18 | 4 | 37°50'N / 89°10'W | 37°51'N / 89°05'W | 4.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 10 | 2.5M | 0 | Williamson |
| 14.6 | 1958-04-05 | 3 | 37°54'N / 89°20'W | 38°02'N / 89°09'W | 13.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Jackson |
| 14.7 | 1957-05-21 | 3 | 37°34'N / 89°19'W | 37°38'N / 89°11'W | 8.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Union |
| 16.8 | 1973-05-07 | 2 | 38°00'N / 89°14'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Perry | |||
| 17.0 | 1972-04-14 | 2 | 37°34'N / 89°19'W | 37°32'N / 89°16'W | 3.30 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 4 | 25K | 0 | Union |
| 17.3 | 1974-05-14 | 2 | 37°38'N / 89°38'W | 1.00 Mile | 177 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Perry | |
| 17.9 | 1957-12-18 | 3 | 37°50'N / 89°45'W | 37°52'N / 89°39'W | 5.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Randolph |
| 18.5 | 1957-12-18 | 3 | 37°54'N / 89°48'W | 38°00'N / 89°30'W | 17.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Randolph |
| 18.9 | 1957-12-18 | 4 | 37°51'N / 89°05'W | 37°53'N / 89°01'W | 4.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 10 | 2.5M | 0 | Franklin |
| 19.5 | 1967-12-21 | 3 | 38°01'N / 89°36'W | 38°04'N / 89°28'W | 7.90 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Perry |
| 19.9 | 1982-05-29 | 3 | 38°03'N / 89°32'W | 38°04'N / 89°28'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Perry |
| 20.6 | 1982-05-29 | 3 | 38°02'N / 89°37'W | 38°03'N / 89°32'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Perry |
| 20.6 | 2006-09-22 | 4 | 37°41'N / 89°50'W | 37°46'N / 89°40'W | 8.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 5 | 7.0M | 0 | Perry |
| Brief Description: This violent F-4 tornado reached its maximum intensity near the village of Crosstown, where peak winds were estimated near 210 MPH. Along the Perry County portion of the tornado track, 62 homes were destroyed, 17 had major damage, and 23 received minor damage. Ten of the destroyed homes were mobile homes, and seven that sustained major damage were mobile homes. Three churches were destroyed or heavily damaged. Numerous vehicles were tossed. Over 100 utility poles were broken off. Hundreds of trees were broken off or uprooted. The tornado first touched down at County Road 302 near Friedenburg, where F-1 winds destroyed a barn and partially unroofed a two-story house. There were also downed trees, including a few that fell on a house. As the tornado continued northeast across County Road 316 between Crosstown and Friedenburg, it widened to about 100 yards. Scores of trees were broken off or uprooted, and the roof was blown off a house. The tornado strengthened to F-3 intensity as it reached the junction of Highways P and C in Crosstown. The roof was torn off a church, windows were broken, and other structural damage occurred. Nearby, the roof was blown off a two-story brick store that was over 100 years old. An overturned vehicle was in the front yard, and trees were mangled. The width increased to 220 yards. In the center of Crosstown on Highway C, the tornado reached F-4 intensity. This is where a site-built house was levelled. The F-4 damage continued east along County Road 350 in Crosstown, where two more site-built houses were levelled. Only the bolted-down floor of one residence remained. An eyewitness along County Road 350 stated he took shelter in the basement after seeing fog coming directly toward him. His house remained mostly intact, except for the roof and garage. The tornado weakened to F-3 intensity about one to two miles east of Crosstown, where a modular home was destroyed except for the bathroom. A vehicle was tossed in the yard. The weakening trend continued east along County Road 350 to the Mississippi River, where many trees were uprooted and broken off. Some outbuildings were thrown around. The path width decreased to 75 yards as the intensity lowered to F-1. The average path width was 150 yards. There were five injuries requiring medical attention, including one broken arm. Two people were moderately injured when the vehicle they were driving was tossed into a house. Dozens of other residents received minor injuries but did not seek medical attention. Where the tornado crossed the Mississippi River, a barge loaded with coal was pushed to the shoreline. The windows were blown out of the tug boat, and enough coal was blown into the tug boat that it was shovelled out. The tornado crossed the Mississippi River into Jackson County, Illinois. | |||||||||||
| 21.3 | 1957-12-18 | 3 | 37°58'N / 89°49'W | 38°04'N / 89°28'W | 20.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Randolph |
| 21.5 | 1967-12-21 | 3 | 37°53'N / 89°50'W | 38°01'N / 89°36'W | 15.70 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Randolph |
| 21.8 | 1972-04-14 | 2 | 37°32'N / 89°16'W | 37°31'N / 89°03'W | 11.80 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Union |
| 21.8 | 1982-05-29 | 4 | 37°48'N / 89°08'W | 37°43'N / 88°50'W | 17.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 10 | 181 | 250.0M | 0 | Williamson |
| 22.0 | 1971-04-27 | 3 | 37°54'N / 89°48'W | 37°54'N / 89°43'W | 4.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 20 | 2.5M | 0 | Franklin |
| 22.2 | 1982-05-29 | 3 | 38°02'N / 89°40'W | 38°02'N / 89°37'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Montgomery |
| 22.5 | 1957-12-18 | 3 | 38°05'N / 89°33'W | 2.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Perry | |
| 22.7 | 2006-03-11 | 2 | 37°50'N / 89°54'W | 38°04'N / 89°35'W | 22.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Randolph |
| Brief Description: The fourth tornado from the Southeast Missouri supercell crossed into Randolph County Illinois about 9:47 pm CST moving across the southern portion of Kaskaskia Island. Debris originating from near St. Marys, Missouri was found in some fields on the island. Numerous snapped or uprooted trees were found on the island. The tornado crossed the Mississippi River on the north side of Chester with a damage path about 300 yards wide. F2 level damage was found just north of the Chester Correctional Center where a number of trees were leveled or snapped off. The tornado produced F1 damage at the Gorden Bud Cohen Recreational Complex where three wooden light posts were snapped off near the base, and several ball fields backstops and fences were blown over. Just to the east, three large pole barns and several outbuildings were destroyed, and a house had roof and exterior damage. The damage at this point was 300 yards wide and rated F2. The tornado continued to produced F1 to F2 damage along the remainder of its path through Randolph County with a nearly continuous 300 yard width. A Notable area of F2 damage were found just north and northeast of Bremen along Highway 150. This damage consisted of metal high power electric towers blown down, a destroyed mobile home, a number of destroyed barns and metal outbuildings, roof and exterior damage to several homes, and numerous trees uprooted. F2 damage was also found near Highway 150 about 1.5 miles west of Steeleville. The rear portion of a house had considerable roof and structural damage, several detached garages were destroyed, at least 5 metal outbuildings were destroyed, several barns destroyed, signs broken, and trees and power poles snapped. The tornado finally exited Randolph County about 1.5 miles south of Highway 154 on County Line Road about 10:15 pm CST. | |||||||||||
| 23.0 | 1996-04-19 | 3 | 37°44'N / 89°52'W | 37°46'N / 89°44'W | 11.50 Miles | 175 Yards | 0 | 0 | 5.0M | 0 | Perry |
| Brief Description: The tornado destroyed 13 homes and caused major structural damage to 5 others. 63 other homes received minor or moderate structural damage. A total of 69 outbuildings and 6 businesses were damaged or destroyed. The Salvation Army and Red Cross were called in to provide food and shelter. State highways and county roads were cleared of tornado debris and open for travel within 24 hours. Extensive damage to utility lines resulted in prolonged power outages lasting a day or two. The F3 damage occurred just west of Menfro, shortly before the tornado dissipated. | |||||||||||
| 23.3 | 1957-12-18 | 5 | 38°05'N / 89°15'W | 38°06'N / 89°09'W | 5.40 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Perry |
| 23.6 | 2006-03-11 | 2 | 38°04'N / 89°36'W | 38°11'N / 89°16'W | 20.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 2 | 1.2M | 0 | Perry |
| Brief Description: The tornado entered Perry County, IL from Randolph County about 1.5 miles south of Highway 154. The Perry County segment of the tornado was rated at its maximum intensity and width shortly after crossing the county line. Shortly after crossing into Perry County, some coal trucks were blown over, and a modular home was totally destroyed on Route 154 near Route 150. Two persons in the home were trapped inside for a time, but they sustained only minor injuries that were treated at a local hospital. Route 150 was closed for 12 hours due to downed trees and power lines. Within a few miles of the destroyed modular home, some hogs were killed at a hog farm, and an empty grain bin was picked up and blown 100 yards into a field. Several eyewitnesses at this location reported two funnels. As the tornado continued its northeast movement, passing northwest of Pinckneyville, it weakened to F1 intensity. Near where it crossed Illinois Route 13, trees were uprooted, roofs were blown off, and power poles were snapped. Siding was blown off a house. Near the end of the tornado track, just northwest of Tamaroa, a metal building was destroyed. Debris from the building was blown about 400 yards. A nearby house lost all of its shingles. Along the 20-mile path through Perry County, dozens of barns and outbuildings were severely damaged or destroyed. Dozens of homes sustained varying degrees of damage, ranging from minor to major. Hundreds of trees were uprooted or snapped. Peak winds on this county segment were estimated at 140 MPH, mainly near the Randolph County line. The average path width was close to 200 yards. A deputy sheriff reported a tornado crossing U.S. Highway 51 north of Tamaroa. This was the last evidence of the tornado, which likely dissipated as it crossed Route 51. | |||||||||||
| 24.5 | 1973-06-02 | 2 | 37°46'N / 88°56'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Williamson | |||
| 24.6 | 1976-02-16 | 2 | 37°28'N / 89°11'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Union | |
| 24.7 | 1958-04-05 | 3 | 38°02'N / 89°09'W | 38°06'N / 89°03'W | 7.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Jackson |
| 24.7 | 1991-11-19 | 3 | 37°44'N / 88°56'W | 1.50 Miles | 70 Yards | 0 | 16 | 25.0M | 0 | Williamson | |
| 24.9 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 37°50'N / 89°50'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Perry | |
| 25.3 | 1955-11-16 | 2 | 37°26'N / 89°16'W | 37°27'N / 89°11'W | 4.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Union |
| 26.0 | 1967-12-21 | 3 | 37°50'N / 89°54'W | 37°53'N / 89°48'W | 6.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 13 | 25.0M | 0 | Perry |
| 26.4 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 37°27'N / 89°44'W | 37°31'N / 89°37'W | 7.80 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Cape Girardeau |
| 26.5 | 1974-06-22 | 2 | 37°33'N / 89°00'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Johnson | |||
| 26.8 | 1972-04-14 | 2 | 37°31'N / 89°03'W | 37°33'N / 88°58'W | 4.90 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Johnson |
| 26.9 | 1961-03-06 | 2 | 37°52'N / 89°52'W | 37°54'N / 89°51'W | 1.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Perry |
| 28.2 | 2004-10-18 | 2 | 37°36'N / 88°58'W | 37°34'N / 88°54'W | 4.30 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 2 | 500K | 0 | Johnson |
| Brief Description: The tornado turned east-southeast from Williamson County back into Johnson County. The bulk of the damage and injuries occurred in a neighborhood on the southern half of the Lake of Egypt. The two injured persons were mobile home residents whose homes were demolished. One of the mobile homes was swept clean off its foundation. The demolished home was deposited 50 to 100 yards away. The 32-year-old male occupant of the mobile home, who was ejected from the home, received numerous bruises and cuts. A female resident of another mobile home was injured. In total, three mobile homes were destroyed, and dozens of mobile homes, barns, and sheds were damaged. Rescue efforts were hampered by a large amount of tree debris on roads. Peak winds in the Lake of Egypt neighborhood were estimated near 120 MPH. The tornado lifted as it reached the southeast side of the Lake of Egypt. The parent thunderstorm produced another tornado in northern Johnson County only a few miles beyond where this tornado lifted. A supercell thunderstorm organized over southern Jackson County, then spawned a tornado as it moved east along the Union/Williamson County line. This supercell continued east-southeast across northern Johnson and northern Pope Counties, producing two significant tornadoes and large hail. Although the storm exhibited strong rotation as it continued east through Hardin County and across the Ohio River into Kentucky, no additional tornadoes were reported there. | |||||||||||
| 29.2 | 1969-06-22 | 3 | 37°41'N / 90°04'W | 37°41'N / 89°44'W | 18.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Perry |
| 30.1 | 1999-01-21 | 2 | 37°20'N / 89°22'W | 37°22'N / 89°21'W | 1.00 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 20K | 0 | Union |
| Brief Description: Top winds were estimated near 130 MPH. Damage was relatively light due to the track of the tornado over rural portions of those counties. A few sheds and barns were destroyed, and a house sustained moderate damage. A fairly large metal barn, about 100 feet by 50 feet, was blown into a stand of trees, but remained fully intact in the upper reaches of the trees. Tree damage was complete along some wooded portions of the track. The tornado formed less than a half mile east of Thebes, and then tracked seven miles through the Shawnee National Forest. The damaged structures were near Thebes and Gale. | |||||||||||
| 30.7 | 1971-03-14 | 2 | 37°19'N / 89°34'W | 37°24'N / 89°30'W | 6.60 Miles | 23 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cape Girardeau |
| 30.9 | 2002-04-28 | 3 | 37°22'N / 89°20'W | 37°22'N / 89°02'W | 16.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 1 | 8 | 5.0M | 0 | Union |
| Brief Description: The tornado first touched down in very hilly terrain in the Shawnee National Forest and then tracked east, crossing Route 127 just north of Mill Creek. The tornado then directly struck the community of Dongola, where most of the damage and casualties occurred. A 69-year-old woman was killed as she was attempting to flee her mobile home. The woman had just gotten into her car, started the engine, and turned the lights on when the tornado struck. She was blown away from the car and found dead under a structure across the road from where the vehicle was parked and still running. Elsewhere in the Dongola area, a train was blown off the tracks. Several wood houses were demolished, and seven double-wide trailers were destroyed. Approximately 75 homes were damaged. A recreational vehicle was tossed across Lake Dongola and impaled into the ground. F69VE | |||||||||||
| 31.0 | 2003-05-06 | 3 | 37°23'N / 89°40'W | 37°24'N / 89°38'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 2 | 12.0M | 0 | Cape Girardeau |
| Brief Description: The tornado touched down at the intersection of Highway 34 and Business Loop I-55 in Jackson, then moved northeast across downtown Jackson and the Bent Creek Golf Course. The damage path ended about 300 yards short of Interstate 55. Several trees blocked Interstate 55 near Jackson. Peak tornado winds were estimated near 180 MPH. The police and fire headquarters building was near the beginning of the damage path. The roof was blown off the building and windows were blown out, allowing rain to flood the building and cause extensive damage. The hazardous materials trailer and communications van were overturned. City police and fire operations were moved to alternate quarters. Streets were blocked by flipped cars and downed trees and power lines. Numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted. The roofs and some walls were torn off many buildings and homes, as well as a school in downtown Jackson. About 200 structures in Jackson received at least some degree of damage. Approximately 22 homes were destroyed, 43 received major damage, and 140 received minor damage. Of those, six were mobile homes and four were apartment buildings. Three businesses were destroyed, including a bakery. Four other businesses had major damage, including a storage company and a woodworking business. Two injured persons were treated and released from a local hospital. One family safely took shelter in their basement while baseball size hail battered the kitchen floor of their unroofed home, and a small sports car landed in their living room. Twenty gas leaks caused by the tornado were repaired within 6 hours. Power was restored to all but 30 homes within 48 hours. A supercellular severe thunderstorm tracked northeast across Bollinger and Cape Girardeau Counties, producing several tornadoes and hail up to golf ball size. Other severe thunderstorms north of the supercell's path produced damaging wind gusts and large hail. | |||||||||||
| 31.3 | 2006-03-11 | 3 | 37°49'N / 90°00'W | 37°53'N / 89°54'W | 7.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 2 | 10 | 1.0M | 0 | Perry |
| Brief Description: The tornado entered Perry County from Ste. Genevieve County near Highway NN and just west of the community of Giboney. The tornado moved northeast, crossing Interstate 55 only about one-half mile from the Ste. Genevieve County line. Two fatalities and F3 damage occurred in the vicinity of where the tornado crossed U.S. Route 61. The two fatalities occurred on U.S. 61, where a vehicle was picked up and thrown into a propane tank. The truck in which they were riding was likely picked up, flipped over, and slammed into the ground several times. The coroner stated that the victims died instantly. One of the victims was ejected from the truck, which then struck the top of a large propane tank. Because of the ensuing propane leak, the victim still in the truck could not be removed until the following day, when the propane was off-loaded from the tank. Both of the victims in the vehicle were residents of a mobile home who were trying to flee the tornado. The home from which they fled sustained only minor damage. At least four other people were significantly injured as they were picked up by tornadic winds and hurled 100 yards. Their injuries were compounded by wind-blown debris. Eight victims were admitted to a local hospital to remove debris which penetrated their bodies, and two others were sent to regional hospitals for serious injuries. Three mobile homes were flattened, a brick house had its roof and several walls blown off, and numerous vehicles were tossed around. A total of about a dozen residences were destroyed or severely damaged in Perry County. Perry County was designated a federal disaster area, enabling individual residents to apply for relief. The dashboard camera in a sheriff deputy's patrol car captured the tornado on film as it crossed U.S. 61 at F3 intensity. Peak winds were estimated near 170 MPH. The tornado crossed into Randolph County, Illinois at Old River, near some railroad tracks about 1.5 miles southeast of St. Marys. M40VE, F49VE | |||||||||||
| 32.2 | 1972-04-14 | 2 | 37°33'N / 88°58'W | 37°34'N / 88°46'W | 10.90 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Johnson |
| 33.3 | 1952-03-18 | 2 | 37°22'N / 89°47'W | 37°27'N / 89°44'W | 6.20 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Cape Girardeau |
| 33.8 | 1957-12-19 | 2 | 38°12'N / 89°03'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 33.9 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 37°24'N / 89°52'W | 37°27'N / 89°44'W | 8.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cape Girardeau |
| 34.0 | 2009-03-08 | 2 | 38°15'N / 89°36'W | 38°16'N / 89°31'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Washington |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado touched down 5.5 miles west southwest of Oakdale and travelled to the northeast. A house on County Highway 29 sustained moderate damage with 4 windows blown out, a wall was buckled in, and siding and shingles were blown off. At this location it also overturned and destroyed a camper and the back end of a machine shed was torn off. Further down the road, a silo and two sheds were blown down. The falling silo hit two cows, killing one of them. The tornado then snapped off 2 large double-poled wooden high tension towers at the base. Also, it destroyed several pole sheds with the debris scattered hundreds of yards and snapped off numerous trees. On another farmstead, a brand new garage was destroyed and the home sustained minimal roof and siding damage before the tornado lifted and dissipated about a mile west of Oakdale. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong cold front moved through the region triggering showers and thunderstorms. Damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes were reported with the storms. | |||||||||||
| 34.4 | 1985-04-05 | 2 | 38°13'N / 89°42'W | 1.80 Miles | 50 Yards | 1 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Randolph | |
| 34.9 | 1957-05-21 | 2 | 37°23'N / 89°50'W | 37°25'N / 89°45'W | 5.10 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Cape Girardeau |
| 35.1 | 1960-02-09 | 2 | 37°58'N / 89°00'W | 38°11'N / 88°42'W | 22.10 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Franklin |
| 35.2 | 2002-04-28 | 2 | 37°22'N / 89°03'W | 37°22'N / 88°59'W | 3.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 2 | 3.0M | 0 | Johnson |
| Brief Description: The tornado entered Johnson County near Cypress and was on the ground for only a few miles in Johnson County. Cypress was impacted directly, where about 50 structures were damaged, including a school. The school lost portions of upper story walls and the roof. Two trailers were destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 35.3 | 1999-01-21 | 2 | 37°13'N / 89°27'W | 37°20'N / 89°23'W | 7.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Alexander |
| Brief Description: Top winds were estimated near 130 MPH. Damage was relatively light due to the track of the tornado over rural portions of those counties. A few sheds and barns were destroyed, and a house sustained moderate damage. A fairly large metal barn, about 100 feet by 50 feet, was blown into a stand of trees, but remained fully intact in the upper reaches of the trees. Tree damage was complete along some wooded portions of the track. The tornado formed less than a half mile east of Thebes, and then tracked seven miles through the Shawnee National Forest. The damaged structures were near Thebes and Gale. | |||||||||||
| 36.3 | 1982-03-30 | 2 | 38°09'N / 88°54'W | 0.80 Mile | 100 Yards | 1 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 36.6 | 1961-03-06 | 2 | 37°54'N / 89°51'W | 38°23'N / 87°55'W | 110.2 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Randolph |
| 36.7 | 1952-03-18 | 2 | 38°06'N / 89°56'W | 38°09'N / 89°52'W | 4.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Randolph |
| 37.1 | 1959-03-14 | 2 | 38°03'N / 90°00'W | 38°03'N / 89°57'W | 2.30 Miles | 120 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Randolph |
| 37.6 | 1972-04-21 | 2 | 37°14'N / 89°15'W | 37°17'N / 89°10'W | 5.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Pulaski |
| 38.1 | 1961-09-24 | 2 | 38°15'N / 89°44'W | 38°17'N / 89°43'W | 2.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | St. Clair |
| 38.3 | 2006-03-11 | 2 | 37°45'N / 90°07'W | 37°47'N / 90°03'W | 4.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Ste. Genevieve |
| Brief Description: The fourth tornado from the Southeast Missouri supercell formed in extreme southwest Ste. Genevieve County and went on to be the longest and strongest of the four tornadoes. The tornado formed about 9:20 pm CST just east of Route WW and one mile north of Holmes Road. On Kramer Road, just off Route N, the tornado produced F2 damage that was at least 400 yards wide. A double wide mobile home was rolled about 150 yards and completely destroyed. Two occupants suffered serious injuries. Two other mobile homes in the area were also destroyed, along with two barns, a machine shed and a detached garage. The tornado continued northeast and tracked into northern Perry County. | |||||||||||
| 39.2 | 1972-04-21 | 2 | 37°13'N / 89°17'W | 37°14'N / 89°15'W | 1.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Alexander |
| 39.5 | 1961-09-24 | 2 | 38°17'N / 89°43'W | 38°19'N / 89°41'W | 2.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Washington |
| 40.4 | 2006-09-22 | 2 | 37°38'N / 90°09'W | 37°40'N / 90°03'W | 6.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Perry |
| Brief Description: The tornado entered Perry County from the extreme southeast corner of St. Francois County. The tornado was at its strongest along and north of County Road 738, shortly after entering Perry County. In this area, the damage path was about 400 yards wide, and peak winds were estimated near 120 MPH. A farm building was levelled, roofs were torn off houses, and dozens of acres of trees were flattened. The tornado weakened to F-1 intensity as it crossed Highway BB, where nearly 100 trees were uprooted and roofs were partially damaged. The path width was estimated around 200 yards at Highway BB. As the tornado continued east across County Road 730, a barn was destroyed, and dozens of trees were down. The path width was about 100 yards when the tornado reached Lake Perry, close to where it lifted along Highway T. At a campground on Lake Perry, recreational vehicles were overturned and damaged by falling trees. The path ended southwest of Silver Lake at Highway T. The average path width was 200 yards. In total, hundreds of acres of timber were flattened, several barns were destroyed, and others were severely damaged. Shingles and decking were ripped off several homes. The parent supercell that produced this tornado later produced a separate F-4 tornado in eastern parts of Perry County. | |||||||||||
| 40.5 | 1971-12-15 | 2 | 37°10'N / 89°32'W | 37°15'N / 89°29'W | 6.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Scott |
| 40.7 | 2004-04-24 | 2 | 37°17'N / 89°51'W | 37°20'N / 89°47'W | 5.40 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 10K | 0 | Cape Girardeau |
| Brief Description: Several barns were damaged, and one was destroyed. Two houses had roof damage. The most intense damage was in a forest, where hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted. Peak winds were estimated at 130 MPH. The damage began on Highway RA, just south of Lake Girardeau, and continued northeast to about 2 miles west of Tilsit. A warm front extending across southeast Missouri was the focus for tornadic thunderstorms. The storms developed during the warmth of the afternoon and produced a few tornadoes, isolated dime size hail, and several reports of flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 41.4 | 2002-04-28 | 2 | 37°22'N / 88°54'W | 37°22'N / 88°47'W | 7.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 2 | 100K | 0 | Johnson |
| Brief Description: This tornado was produced by the same supercell thunderstorm that spawned a long-track tornado over southern Union and southwest Johnson Counties. This tornado touched down along U.S. Highway 45, about 3 miles south of Vienna. The tornado moved east across Interstate 24, and then dissipated about 1.5 miles east of the interstate near Ganntown. Two persons were injured when their mobile home was demolished. Two other mobile homes were extensively damaged. Numerous trees were down. | |||||||||||
| 42.0 | 2003-05-06 | 4 | 37°16'N / 89°02'W | 37°16'N / 88°56'W | 6.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 1 | 13 | 3.5M | 0 | Pulaski |
| Brief Description: This violent tornado began near Grand Chain and reached its maximum intensity of 210 MPH as it neared the Massac County line. A 53-year-old man was killed when the chimney of his house collapsed on him. The man, who was in his basement, was protecting his son by lying on top of him when the collapse occurred. The son received broken bones. Their house was impaled by some nearby large trees that prevented it from being swept farther away. Along the Pulaski County portion of the tornado path, six single family homes and ten mobile homes were destroyed. Another ten single family homes and a mobile home had major damage. A few dozen other residences received some type of minor damage. A few dozen outbuildings, two businesses, and a campground were destroyed or had major damage. Approximately 13 persons were injured, but only a few of those required hospitalization. All roads in the damage area were impassable due to large numbers of trees and building debris on them. Many of the tornado victims in this county had no insurance on their residences. The area of most intense destruction was along Tick Ridge Road, a state road that follows a ridge above the Ohio River. M53PH The deadliest and most destructive storm of the night tracked within 10 miles of the Ohio River across extreme southern Illinois. The storm produced a 33-mile long tornado that killed two and injured about 33. A small but very damaging downburst occurred several miles south of the tornado track. A swath of large hail occurred north of the tornado track. Hailstones up to 2 inches in diameter were reported at and near the intersection of Highways 145 and 147, near the community of Glendale in Pope County. | |||||||||||
| 42.1 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 37°18'N / 88°55'W | 0.10 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Johnson | |
| 42.3 | 1981-05-24 | 2 | 37°12'N / 89°40'W | 37°12'N / 89°33'W | 6.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Scott |
| 43.3 | 1996-04-19 | 3 | 38°09'N / 88°45'W | 38°09'N / 88°43'W | 2.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0 | Jefferson |
| Brief Description: Total damage was estimated around 3 million dollars. The tornado destroyed 3 homes and caused moderate to severe damage to 50 others. About 45 barns and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, along with 60 to 70 grain bins. The small community of Piopolis was nearly devastated. The intensity of the tornado was just weak (F0 or F1) during most of its life, but it briefly reached F3 intensity. | |||||||||||
| 43.4 | 2004-10-18 | 2 | 37°33'N / 88°43'W | 37°32'N / 88°35'W | 6.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Pope |
| Brief Description: This tornado entered Pope County from Johnson County in a remote area of the Shawnee National Forest. Most of the track was through heavily forested areas, causing extensive tree destruction. The tornado reached its peak intensity about a mile northeast of Bell Smith Springs, a scenic river gorge about 4 miles northwest of Eddyville. Peak winds were estimated near 120 MPH. Near the end of the damage path, just as the tornado was reaching Illinois Route 145, a mobile home was damaged. A supercell thunderstorm organized over southern Jackson County, then spawned a tornado as it moved east along the Union/Williamson County line. This supercell continued east-southeast across northern Johnson and northern Pope Counties, producing two significant tornadoes and large hail. Although the storm exhibited strong rotation as it continued east through Hardin County and across the Ohio River into Kentucky, no additional tornadoes were reported there. | |||||||||||
| 43.5 | 1976-03-20 | 2 | 38°19'N / 89°50'W | 38°22'N / 89°41'W | 8.70 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | St. Clair |
| 43.9 | 1981-05-24 | 2 | 37°12'N / 89°43'W | 37°12'N / 89°40'W | 2.70 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Cape Girardeau |
| 44.0 | 1957-12-18 | 4 | 38°17'N / 89°05'W | 38°21'N / 88°47'W | 16.80 Miles | 250 Yards | 1 | 45 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson |
| 44.2 | 1976-03-20 | 2 | 38°22'N / 89°41'W | 38°29'N / 89°10'W | 29.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Washington |
| 44.5 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 37°11'N / 89°40'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 3 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Scott | |
| 44.6 | 2002-04-28 | 2 | 37°50'N / 88°38'W | 37°50'N / 88°30'W | 7.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 3 | 3.5M | 0 | Saline |
| Brief Description: The tornado struck Galatia directly, damaging about 55 structures and destroying several. Peak winds were estimated between 120 and 130 MPH. The roof of a car wash was blown off, and then the walls collapsed on a police cruiser that was sheltered there. A coal mine sustained a quarter million dollars in damage. Two persons were injured in an overturned trailer. Two brick homes lost their roofs and some walls. | |||||||||||
| 45.8 | 1960-03-29 | 2 | 38°10'N / 90°00'W | 38°27'N / 89°48'W | 22.30 Miles | 130 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Randolph |
| 45.9 | 1958-04-05 | 3 | 38°18'N / 89°52'W | 38°27'N / 89°41'W | 14.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 1 | 8 | 250K | 0 | St. Clair |
| 46.1 | 1968-04-03 | 2 | 37°25'N / 90°05'W | 2.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Bollinger | |
| 46.2 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 38°20'N / 89°01'W | 38°21'N / 88°48'W | 11.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 46.3 | 1975-01-10 | 2 | 37°49'N / 88°32'W | 2.00 Miles | 587 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Saline | |
| 46.5 | 1975-04-18 | 3 | 38°15'N / 90°00'W | 2.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Monroe | |
| 46.5 | 1955-04-22 | 2 | 37°13'N / 89°50'W | 37°11'N / 89°46'W | 4.10 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Cape Girardeau |
| 46.7 | 1957-12-19 | 2 | 37°42'N / 88°32'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Saline | |
| 46.8 | 1957-12-18 | 3 | 38°12'N / 88°42'W | 2.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Hamilton | |
| 46.8 | 1960-02-09 | 2 | 38°11'N / 88°42'W | 38°12'N / 88°41'W | 1.90 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 46.9 | 2003-05-06 | 4 | 37°14'N / 88°56'W | 37°19'N / 88°42'W | 14.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 1 | 20 | 10.0M | 0 | Massac |
| Brief Description: The tornado was near its maximum F-4 intensity as it crossed the Pulaski County line into western Massac County near the community of Hillerman. Estimated winds of 210 MPH disintegrated mobile homes and levelled several modern frame homes. One frame house was swept clean off its foundation, with only the roof left intact in a creek about 200 yards away. Many vehicles were lifted, rolled, or thrown up to 100 yards or more. Numerous cases of missiling were observed, including glass embedded in trees. Tree destruction in forested areas was nearly complete, and a few trees were debarked. The only fatality in Massac County was a 65-year-old female who was killed when her mobile home disintegrated. The official cause of death was blunt trauma to the head. She was found in a water-filled ravine about 100 yards from the former site of her mobile home. The frame of the mobile home was wrapped around the trunks of two trees that were stripped of all their limbs. Most of the levelled frame homes were concentrated on Boaz Road and Rolling Hills Road, in or near Hillerman. After passing through Hillerman, the tornado overturned dozens of railroad cars of a train just west of the Mermet Lake Conservation Area, which is off U.S. Route 45. The Mermet Lake Conservation Area was extensively damaged. An estimated 300 acres of forest were destroyed, boat docks were destroyed, and bathing facilities were destroyed. Dozens of waterfowl were found dead. After destroying additional residences and high tension power lines, the tornado crossed Interstate 24 near mile marker 28, about a mile south of the New Columbia exit. Tractor-trailer rigs and a tour bus were overturned on the interstate, injuring the drivers. The interstate was closed due to grain bins, tree limbs, and some building debris on the highway. Additional residences were destroyed between the interstate and the Pope County line. The tornado crossed into Pope County near where Illinois Route 145 crosses the county line. In Massac County, a total of 15 single-family houses and 13 mobile homes were destroyed. About 20 other single-family houses and 15 mobile homes received major damage. Several dozen other residences had some type of minor damage. Numerous vehicles and farming implements were destroyed, including combines. About 20 persons were injured in Massac County, but only one or two were hospitalized in serious or critical condition. Most of the injuries involved lacerations, bruises, broken bones, and internal injuries. Near Hillerman, a deputy sheriff escaped unhurt after his patrol car was thrown about 50 yards and struck by a flying tree and telephone pole. F65MH The deadliest and most destructive storm of the night tracked within 10 miles of the Ohio River across extreme southern Illinois. The storm produced a 33-mile long tornado that killed two and injured about 33. A small but very damaging downburst occurred several miles south of the tornado track. A swath of large hail occurred north of the tornado track. Hailstones up to 2 inches in diameter were reported at and near the intersection of Highways 145 and 147, near the community of Glendale in Pope County. | |||||||||||
| 46.9 | 1990-05-09 | 2 | 38°06'N / 88°37'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hamilton | |
| 48.1 | 1971-12-15 | 2 | 37°05'N / 89°47'W | 37°10'N / 89°32'W | 14.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 1 | 24 | 25K | 0 | Scott |
| 48.6 | 1961-03-06 | 2 | 37°48'N / 88°32'W | 37°49'N / 88°27'W | 4.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Saline |
| 48.7 | 1998-04-15 | 2 | 38°25'N / 89°05'W | 38°28'N / 89°01'W | 5.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 1 | 400K | 0 | Jefferson |
| Brief Description: Six houses sustained major damage in Cravat. One house was moved about 10 feet off of its foundation with the back portion of the house destroyed. One truck and some farm machinery were tossed 50 feet. Several small barns and outbuildings were destroyed. A truck driver sustained broken ribs when his tractor trailer was lifted up by the tornado. The trailer was lifted up into a vertical position before being set back down and rolling over. Several mobile homes were overturned. | |||||||||||
| 49.1 | 1972-04-21 | 3 | 37°33'N / 88°32'W | 0.30 Mile | 60 Yards | 3 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pope | |
| 49.3 | 1952-03-18 | 2 | 37°47'N / 90°21'W | 37°53'N / 90°13'W | 9.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ste. Genevieve |
| 49.3 | 1957-12-18 | 2 | 38°25'N / 89°01'W | 38°26'N / 88°56'W | 4.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 49.7 | 1957-04-03 | 2 | 37°04'N / 89°11'W | 37°06'N / 89°11'W | 2.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pulaski |
| 49.8 | 1967-06-21 | 2 | 37°06'N / 89°06'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pulaski | |||
| 49.9 | 2003-05-06 | 2 | 37°14'N / 88°50'W | 37°15'N / 88°44'W | 4.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 80K | 0 | Massac |
| Brief Description: The roofs of several houses were severely damaged or blown off. One business was destroyed. Several barns and outbuildings were destroyed. Numerous large trees were blown down, along with seven power poles. Peak winds were estimated near 125 MPH. The damage path began due north of Metropolis and crossed Illinois Route 145 about 7 miles north-northeast of Metropolis. Route 145 and several smaller roads were closed due to large trees blown across them. This damage was located in nearly the exact location where damaging thunderstorm winds occurred about 48 hours earlier, on the evening of May 4. The deadliest and most destructive storm of the night tracked within 10 miles of the Ohio River across extreme southern Illinois. The storm produced a 33-mile long tornado that killed two and injured about 33. A small but very damaging downburst occurred several miles south of the tornado track. A swath of large hail occurred north of the tornado track. Hailstones up to 2 inches in diameter were reported at and near the intersection of Highways 145 and 147, near the community of Glendale in Pope County. | |||||||||||
| 49.9 | 1969-06-22 | 4 | 37°43'N / 90°19'W | 37°43'N / 90°16'W | 2.30 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | St. Francois |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.